What is a Physical Disability?

A physical disability is a substantial and long-term limitation affecting a person’s mobility, physical functioning, stamina or agility. It can limit the person, either temporarily or permanently, by becoming disabled for various reasons, such as genetic disorder, injury or a specific condition.

Physical disability severely affects the capacity of a person to perform specific daily activities. These activities become more challenging and take longer, such as carrying things and getting dressed. Children and young people with physical disabilities may experience difficulty with accessing the physical environment, using equipment and facilities safely, participating in learning tasks and assessments and performing practical tasks and activities. However, every person is affected by their unique physical needs differently.

What is a Physical Impairment

A physical impairment refers to any loss or abnormality in the body’s psychological, physiological, or anatomical structure or function. This can involve significant challenges with either internal or external body components, such as losing a person’s physical functioning mobility in a particular body part or system. Such impairments can arise from various factors, including congenital anomalies, injuries, illnesses, or degenerative diseases. For instance, cerebral palsy results from abnormal brain development or damage, impacting muscle control, while spinal cord injuries occur due to damage to the spinal cord or its nerves. Physical impairments may present as challenges in movement, coordination, or performing physical tasks.

Some common physical disabilities and impairments are:

  • Cerebral Palsy affects muscle control and physical function due to brain damage.

  • Spinal Cord Injuries resulting from damage to the spinal cord often impact mobility and bodily functions.

  • Amputations, where a part of the body is surgically removed.

  • Musculoskeletal Injuries occur when muscles or bones are damaged, often from intense physical activity.

Rehabilitation is essential in assisting people with physical impairments to maximise their functioning. It involves interventions to enhance independence in daily tasks and promote involvement in education, work, and recreation. Crucial support health services, including occupational therapy, physiotherapy, and speech and language therapy, are vital in helping people maintain their independence and improve their quality of life.

Mobility Impairment

Mobility impairments refer to a wide range of conditions that hinder the person’s ability to move freely and carry out daily physical activities. These impairments often stem from congenital conditions, injuries, illnesses, or degenerative diseases, with examples including cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, and muscular dystrophy, which affect muscle coordination and control.

Traumatic events like spinal cord injuries and amputations, as well as medical conditions such as arthritis—both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis—also contribute to difficulties in joint mobility and muscle control. Such limitations can greatly reduce a person’s independence and quality of life, making navigating home and public spaces difficult.

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What Causes a Physical Disability?

Various causes of physical disabilities affect a person’s daily life differently. Physical disabilities may result from perinatal, acquired, or congenital factors. Below is an extensive overview of the main causes of physical disabilities. Understanding these causes is essential to offer the right care and support to people affected.

Congenital Disability

People within the group of congenital physical disabilities, also known as hereditary, have had the condition since birth, which may include impairments that already have occurred while the baby was in the womb. Also, inherited genetic issues, injury during birth or issues with muscle cells can develop this condition.

Acquired Injury

A person may develop a physical disability for a variety of causes. These can result from severe accidents, brain injuries, infections, diseases, and other conditions, like dementia and a stroke.

Perinatal Causes

The period just before and following childbirth is known as the perinatal period. These disabilities are primarily biological in nature. They may be brought on by preterm delivery, severe trauma, oxygen deprivation, or an infection picked up while being delivered through the birth canal.

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Types of Physical Disability

Types of Physical Disability

Many physical disabilities, such as hearing loss, chronic fatigue, mobility impairment, chronic pain and seizures, can affect people.

A wide variety of conditions fall under the category of physical disabilities, impacting a person’s ability to carry out physical activities:

Musculoskeletal Disability

The bones, muscles, and joints are all affected by this type of disability. It may result in limb loss or deformity, muscle weakness (Muscular Dystrophy), and osteogenesis imperfecta, which causes brittle bones. Back and neck pain, osteoarthritis, fractures brought on by brittle bones, and inflammatory disorders like rheumatoid arthritis are common forms of musculoskeletal disability.

Neuromusculoskeletal Disability

The neuromusculoskeletal condition makes the person unable to move the body parts affected and can also lead to nervous system disorders or degeneration. Stroke, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, motor neurone disease, spina bifida, head injury, poliomyelitis, and other conditions are examples of this type of disorder.

Sensory Impairment

Visual and hearing impairments fall under the category of sensory impairment. Once more, people may have experienced sensory impairments throughout their lives or may have grown blind or deaf in later life.

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Examples of Physical Disabilities

What a physical disability may and does to a person has already been addressed. The most common physical limitations that harm the body and normal function are:

Common Physical Disabilities
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Impact on Mental Well-being

Individuals with physical disabilities often face a range of mental health challenges, significantly affecting their mental well-being. In fact, according to the Office for National Statistics in the UK, adults with disabilities are nearly five times more likely to report frequent mental distress compared to those without disabilities. In 2018, approximately 17.4 million (32.9%) adults with disabilities experienced frequent mental distress, which is defined as having 14 or more mentally unhealthy days within the last 30 days. This persistent mental distress is linked to mental disorders, chronic illnesses, unhealthy behaviours, greater reliance on healthcare services, and challenges in daily functioning.

And what are the contributing factors?

  • Social isolation and loneliness

  • Stigma and discrimination

  • Chronic physical conditions

The impact on daily life is major and directly affects the quality of life. To learn more about it, read about The Impact of Physical Disabilities on Mental Health and Well-Being.

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Support for People with Physical Disabilities

Individuals with physical disabilities often face a range of mental health challenges, significantly affecting their mental well-being. In fact, according to the Office for National Statistics in the UK, adults with disabilities are nearly five times more likely to report frequent mental distress compared to those without disabilities. In 2018, approximately 17.4 million (32.9%) adults with disabilities experienced frequent mental distress, which is defined as having 14 or more mentally unhealthy days within the last 30 days. This persistent mental distress is linked to mental disorders, chronic illnesses, unhealthy behaviours, greater reliance on healthcare services, and challenges in daily functioning.

And what are the contributing factors?

  • Social isolation and loneliness

  • Stigma and discrimination

  • Chronic physical conditions

The impact on daily life is major and directly affects the quality of life. To learn more about it, read about The Impact of Physical Disabilities on Mental Health and Well-Being.

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Support for People with Physical Disabilities

Living with a physical disability or motor movement can be challenging. To keep independence and live well in the community, several disability support plans need to be placed. The physical disability’s severity will define the type of care you require. Some people may need to see their primary care physician or a specialist. In contrast, others may need a team of medical experts to handle various aspects of their care, such as physical, occupational, and speech therapists.

For example, if your child is identified as having spina bifida, they will be transferred to a specialised team for support. The right specialists will create a care plan to address your child’s needs and difficulties. The care plan will be reviewed as your kid ages to account for changes in their needs and environment.

This birth condition, known as neural tube defect, is spina bifida (NTD). This folding of the embryo’s posterior side, which usually creates the vertebral column with its muscles, spinal cord, and spinal nerves, is abnormal. Doctors can treat the many challenges of spina bifida in a variety of ways. Along with the initial spinal surgery, they may use physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and mobility aids.

Equality Act 2010

The Equality Act 2010 is a significant piece of UK legislation designed to promote equality and prevent discrimination. It specifically supports people with physical disabilities by ensuring they have equal access and opportunities in different aspects of life. According to the Act, a person is considered disabled if they have a physical or mental impairment that significantly and long-term affects their ability to perform everyday tasks.

The terms “substantial” and “long-term” are further clarified:

  • Substantial” is more than a minor or trivial impact, such as taking significantly longer to complete daily activities like getting dressed.

  • Long-term” refers to conditions lasting 12 months or more, such as a lung infection leading to a chronic breathing issue.

Protection against discrimination under the Equality Act 2010 is comprehensive and applies to multiple areas:

  • Education

  • Employment

  • Services and Facilities

  • Housing

  • Public Functions and Transport

How Leaf Complex Care Can Support People with Physical Disabilities

At Leaf Complex Care, we promote humanised services driven by empathy, accepting people for who they are. Our services impact people’s lives, maintaining their mental health so they can lead more independent lives. Leaf’s experienced care teams support people while showing them the respect and empathy they deserve.

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